LEXINGTON, Ky. (9/24/13) – The University of Kentucky softball team continued its preparation for the 2014 spring season over the weekend as it traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to play a doubleheader against Ohio State University. The Wildcats won the first game of the two-game set before falling in the second game in extra innings.

The Wildcats claimed the first game against the Buckeyes with a 6-0 win behind great pitching from senior Lauren Cumbess and freshman Meagan Prince. Cumbess and Prince combined to only allow four base runners in the game. Cumbess threw four strong innings stranding a base runner in the second inning before Prince threw the final three innings without allowing a run. Combined, Cumbess and Prince threw a shutout, allowing only two hits with five strikeouts.

The UK offense provided Prince all the run support she needed as sophomore third baseman Nikki Sagermann started the scoring in the fourth inning with a solo blast over the leftfield wall to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. The score stayed 1-0 until sophomore pitcher Kelsey Nunley delivered a bases-clearing double to score junior catcher Griffin Joiner, Sagermann and senior outfielder Emily Gaines – who all reached on walks – before eventually coming home to score herself on an OSU error. Sophomore outfielder Darington Richardson started the seventh inning with a double before scoring on an OSU error to complete Kentucky’s 6-0 victory.

Sagermann’s bat stayed hot in the second game as the slugger belted another solo home run to start the scoring for Kentucky before OSU posted six runs in the first two innings to take a 6-1 lead. Sagermann again lead the Wildcat offense back into the game, however. After sophomore utility player Maisie Steed started the third inning with a leadoff walk, speedy outfielder Sylver Samuel executed a perfect bunt single. Steed scored later in the inning on a fielder’s choice before a Sagermann double scored two runs and cut the OSU lead to two. Gaines kept the rally alive in the frame with an RBI single to make it 6-5 OSU.

The score stayed 6-5 in favor of the Buckeyes until sophomore infielder Christian Stokes belted a solo home run to tie the game at 6-6. The score stayed knotted for six more innings until the Buckeyes plated a run in the bottom of the 12th to grab an extra-inning win.

Kentucky will continue its fall slate this weekend when it travels to Dayton, Ohio, to face Wright State at 2 p.m. ET and Dayton at 4 p.m. ET. The fall schedule concludes Oct. 6 when UK plays host to Georgetown College for a doubleheader at Noon ET at John Cropp Stadium.